" I'm driving. " Gwen snatched the keys from him and got into the driver's seat.
" You're in a really good mood today , aren't you?"
Her face had a glow to it and she had a beaming smile.
" Yes , I'm happy. "
She drove a few miles and they stopped at a carnival. Gwen hurried out and hauled Alec. She was excited...almost like it was her first time here.
" Have you never been to a carnival? "
" I have...with my dad. " She smiled hurtfully. " But I was just a stupid ten year old back then. "
Alec held her hand and pulled her cheek. " Then why did you come with me today? "
Gwen held his hand against her cheek and closed her eyes. It was a cold evening and it only got colder by the minute. Gwen loved the way the heat from his body radiated through hers.
" When I was younger , I swore to come here only with the man who..." She opened her eyes and met his. " The man who'd steal my heart. "
Alec felt like something was choking him from within. It's like the world stopped spinning when he looked into those eyes. He suddenly felt overwhelmed by guilt. What he was doing wasn't right.
He rubbed her cheek with his thumb. She was the best thing that could have ever happened to him but fate just couldn't let him be happy.
Gwen saw his pained expression. What was wrong?
" Are you feeling okay? "
" I...I just love you so much...so much." He brought her forehead to his. "I'm lucky to have you. "
Gwen took a deep breathe to stop her pounding heart. She wanted to laugh at herself. Never in a million years did she think she'd be out here professing her love like this.
" Enough. " She moved back from Alec. " We're here to have fun , not get all emotional."
They walked hand in hand through the crowds. Alec had been here several times. He'd brought Ruth and Richard here when his parents were busy. He didn't like it much , the blinding lights , the tooth decaying cotton candy , the un hygienic seats...the list was endless. But with Gwen here , everything looked and felt like a first time experience to him.
Gwen bent her head backwards to see the giant towering ' Ride of terror ' before her. She clenched her fists and inhaled. She'd always been terrified by this ride and Leo always teased her when they were young. He'd said that the day she rode it , pigs would fly.
" Well then...let the pigs fly. " Gwen mumbled to herself.
" What the fuck are you mumbling about? "
" I want to take this ride. " Gwen turned to him.
" Okay , then let's go." He held her hand and led her in.
Gwen's heart was pounding. From the line , to getting seats , to getting buckled in. Her heart was almost coming out her body. Her eyes closed and opened time and time again. When she felt the seat move , she clasped Alec's hand with all her might. She was shaking and tears were welling up in her big hazel eyes.
" I'm scared...Please don't let me go! " She was panicking. " No matter what...don't let go! I'm afraid of heights!"
Alec chuckled. He was always amused by the little things that made his hazel eyed goddess afraid. Slowly by slowly , he getting to know her in and out.
They went up painfully slowly and Gwen was mumbling prayers all the way. She held Alec so tight that he wondered how her little body could be so strong. Then as they reached the top , the stopped for a couple of seconds. Gwen shut her eyes. This was the part she dreaded and like that , they came down with lightning speed. Gwen felt her soul leave her body and she screamed in terror.
" Oh God ! Oh God! Oh God! " The wind blew her hair in her face and she forced herself to open her eyes a little. They were swirling up and down and in circle and curves. The ground was miles away and the people looked like ants. Her face turned pale and she screamed even louder. " Shit! Shit! Shit!"
" Have some water. " Alec handed her a bottle. She was visibly shaken from the ride. She was clutching her coat and rocking back and forth on the bench she was seated on.
Gwen was in a coat but she was as cold as a dead body. She glanced at Alec , who was perfectly fine. It was like he'd just taken a bike ride or something . Her hair was a mess and she couldn't stop her trembling. She probably looked stupid. She took her phone out to get a look at herself. She was a hot mess! Alec was laughing.
" On a scale of 1 to 10 , how stupid do I look?"
He squatted and held her shaking hands. " I don't know about looking stupid , but I'll give you a 10 on looking adorable. "
He shifted the hair from her face.
" I look like a witch." She laughed at herself. " Are you into witches ? "
" Looking at you , I guess I am now. "
Gwen sighed as they walked. She was here to do the things she was afraid of , things she needed courage to do , things she eventually needed to do. She wanted to tell Alec her decision to leave the gang and start her own business. She was going to move ahead in life and she wanted to let him be the first to know.
" You have something on your mind. " Alec saw how she stared into the air.
Gwen didn't realize she was zoning out. They'd already passed the place she wanted to go to next.
" Here! This is where I want us to go next. " She stopped him at a photo booth.
" Hey , Gwen. I've been waiting here. What took you so long? " An old man sat outside the booth .
" I'm sorry we took so long , Mr. Gill. " Gwen patted his shoulder. The man glanced at Alec and gave a nod.
" You have ten minutes. " He smiled at Gwen before moving from his seat.
Gwen pulled Alec in and they sat. The booth was quite small.
" So you wanted to take pictures with me? " Alec held her hand.
" No. "
" Then what are we doing here? " He looked around the confined space before looking back at her.
" When I was younger , I watched this movie where the main leads make out in a photobooth...and..." She bit her lip and her eyes dug deep in those blue eyes.
" And? " A dirty smile grew on Alec's face. He knew what she meant but he liked to hear her say it.
" And I want us to do that. "